How city leaders are putting Su
Recently the Echo looked at how city leaders are working together to make Sunderland an age friendly city. Today we view some of the practical things happening on the ground and some of the activities on offer for the over 50s across the city.
One of the most obvious examples of age-friendliness, which many will have seen without even realising, are the physical improvements to the city.
The award-winning Marine Walk, Roker and Seaburn Promenade areas were all designed after extensive consultation, including with older people, disability groups and local businesses.
This has resulted in seating with high backs, wheelchair friendly picnic tables and better crossing points at Marine Walk, as well as fully accessible toilets at the seafront to help people with more significant disability issues.
Sunderland City Council Cabinet Secretary, Coun Mel Speding, said: “The seafront is one of our best loved assets and it’s very important to us that people of all ages and abilities are able to spend time down there and enjoy what it has to offer, which is why we’ve consulted widely with local people, including disability groups and local businesses on its regeneration.
“That is why we now have two fantastic full accessible Changing Places toilets at Roker and Seaburn, and high backed seating and wheelchair accessible picnic benches so that people in wheelchairs needn’t feel left out on family picnics.
“We’ve also recently introduced two dedicated disabled mini bus bays in the car park at Marine Walk, catering for groups of older people spending a day at the seaside, while in the city centre we’ve de-cluttered Keel Square and High Street West to remove any tripping hazards and installed new timber benches that give a warmer feel, with arm rests and a better seating position.”